Optical

STAAR Surgical Announces Preliminary Net Sales for First Quarter 2024

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024

STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (EVO ICL™) for myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, today announced preliminary net sales for the first quarter ended March 29, 2024, are expected to be in excess of $77 million with U.S. ICL sales expected to be $5 million for the quarter.

Key Points: 
  • STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (EVO ICL™) for myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, today announced preliminary net sales for the first quarter ended March 29, 2024, are expected to be in excess of $77 million with U.S. ICL sales expected to be $5 million for the quarter.
  • “STAAR is off to a solid start in 2024 as illustrated by our preliminary first quarter results including a record quarter in the U.S.,” said Tom Frinzi, President and CEO of STAAR Surgical.
  • ICL sales were up approximately 20% sequentially to $5 million in the first quarter, which reflects early signs of our increased market focus.
  • The Company expects to report complete first quarter financial results and discuss its fiscal 2024 outlook during its quarterly earnings call on or about May 8, 2024.

LENZ Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Data from Phase 3 CLARITY Presbyopia Trials

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Near vision improvement was reproducible and consistent across both CLARITY 1 and 2 throughout the four-week study periods.

Key Points: 
  • Near vision improvement was reproducible and consistent across both CLARITY 1 and 2 throughout the four-week study periods.
  • LNZ100 was well-tolerated with no serious treatment-related adverse events observed in the over 30,000 treatment days across all three CLARITY trials.
  • “We are very pleased with the outcome of the CLARITY trials, and most importantly the strong efficacy and safety profile of LNZ100 observed in patients with presbyopia.
  • It is comprised of two six-week efficacy trials, CLARITY 1 and 2, and a six-month safety trial, CLARITY 3.

 Southern California College of Optometry Celebrates 120 Years of Educational and Clinical Excellence

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution headquartered in Fullerton, Calif. proudly celebrates the 120th anniversary of its Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) .

Key Points: 
  • Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution headquartered in Fullerton, Calif. proudly celebrates the 120th anniversary of its Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) .
  • Since then, it has earned a reputation as one of the oldest and most esteemed optometry schools in the nation.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240403689163/en/
    Southern California College of Optometry Celebrates 120 Years (Graphic: Business Wire)
    "SCCO's 120-year journey signifies more than just longevity; it represents a commitment to best-in-class optometric education,” said Dr. Julie A. Schornack, president at MBKU.
  • As SCCO celebrates its 120-year legacy, it remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow.

Wearing Glasses Boosts Income by a Third in Low-Income Communities, Finds Landmark New Study

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

A pair of reading glasses increases the earnings of people in low- income communities by 33% according to new research.

Key Points: 
  • A pair of reading glasses increases the earnings of people in low- income communities by 33% according to new research.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    A new randomised controlled trial, published today, finds that the provision of reading glasses improves livelihoods and quality of life and reduces poverty.
  • “The THRIVE study reveals that the simple intervention of reading glasses yields outsized impact in terms of income.
  • Without reading glasses more than 8261 million people have difficulty performing routine tasks and maximising their income earning potential.

West Point Optical Group, LLC and Verséa Ophthalmics, Inc. Announce Partnership Supply Agreement for  BIOVANCE®and BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

BIOVANCE® and BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular, which are single-layer and three-layer (3L) allografts, respectively, are intended for use as a biological membrane covering that provides an extracellular matrix.

Key Points: 
  • BIOVANCE® and BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular, which are single-layer and three-layer (3L) allografts, respectively, are intended for use as a biological membrane covering that provides an extracellular matrix.
  • BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular is acellular and consists of three layers of amniotic basement membrane that supports treatment of advanced ocular surface disease.
  • As a barrier membrane, BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular is intended to protect the underlying tissue and preserve tissue plane boundaries.
  • “We are excited to partner with Verséa Ophthalmics allowing our eye care professionals to deliver the benefits of BIOVANCE® and BIOVANCE® 3L Ocular products to their patients,” said John Womack, OD, West Point Optical Group’s Chief Medical Officer.

New Survey Results from Cloudbreak Pharma Highlight Disease Burden, Need for Non-surgical Treatment Options for Underdiagnosed and Undertreated Ocular Disease

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 5, 2024

“Simple tasks like putting in contact lenses, applying makeup and using a computer or phone are made significantly more difficult, if not impossible, for those with pterygium.

Key Points: 
  • “Simple tasks like putting in contact lenses, applying makeup and using a computer or phone are made significantly more difficult, if not impossible, for those with pterygium.
  • As ophthalmologists, we need to listen closely to our patients and coordinate with optometrists to fully understand the impact of pterygium.
  • More information about this trial is available here: Safety and Efficacy of CBT-001 Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Pterygium .
  • The survey was designed with multiple-choice questions, rating questions and open-ended questions.2

Glaukos Receives Permanent J-code for iDose® TR (travoprost intracameral implant)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The new J-code for iDose TR, J7355, is set to become effective July 1, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • The new J-code for iDose TR, J7355, is set to become effective July 1, 2024.
  • It is expected to increase patient access in the U.S. and has been published here on the CMS website.
  • “The receipt of a product-specific J-code for iDose TR supports our market access initiatives to enable broad access and coverage for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension,” said Thomas Burns, Glaukos chairman and chief executive officer.
  • iDose TR is intended to improve the standard of care by addressing the ubiquitous patient non-compliance issues and chronic side effects associated with topical glaucoma medications.

Nordic Group B.V. Through Its Subsidiary Nordic Pharma, Inc. (U.S.), to Present Data on LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel, a Novel Therapy for Dry Eye, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Nordic Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Nordic Group B.V., will be presenting data on LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel, a novel therapy for dry eye symptoms, during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA on April 5-8, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Nordic Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Nordic Group B.V., will be presenting data on LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel, a novel therapy for dry eye symptoms, during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA on April 5-8, 2024.
  • LACRIFILL Canalicular Gel is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivative and is FDA-cleared to temporarily block tear drainage by the occlusion of the canalicular system.
  • “The recent acquisition of Visant Medical along with Amring Pharmaceuticals becoming Nordic Pharma, Inc., has increased our internal know-how and assets.
  • This is where science and innovation come together, making it the perfect environment to highlight this novel therapy for dry eye.”

Melt Pharmaceuticals Closes $24 Million Series B Preferred Stock Financing

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Melt Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Melt”), a clinical‑stage pharmaceutical company developing novel approaches for procedural sedation, today announced the completion of its Series B Preferred Stock financing of approximately $24 million from new and existing investors at a pre‑money valuation that increased nearly 150% from the pre-money valuation for Melt’s Series A Preferred Stock financing in 2019.

Key Points: 
  • Melt Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Melt”), a clinical‑stage pharmaceutical company developing novel approaches for procedural sedation, today announced the completion of its Series B Preferred Stock financing of approximately $24 million from new and existing investors at a pre‑money valuation that increased nearly 150% from the pre-money valuation for Melt’s Series A Preferred Stock financing in 2019.
  • The capital raised will primarily support the further development of MELT-300, including the MELT-300 Phase 3 program.
  • “With this round of financing, we’ve obtained the funding to further the development of MELT-300, including conducting our recently commenced Phase 3 program.
  • Their shared belief in the vision of MELT-300 and their confidence in its potential to revolutionize short-duration procedural sedation is incredibly valuable to us.”
    Newbridge Securities Corporation acted as the exclusive placement agent for the Series B Preferred Stock Offering.

Pantheon Vision Secures a Second Tranche of $1.8 Million to Advance Bioengineered Corneal Implants

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Pantheon Vision, a pre-clinical stage medical device company developing bioengineered corneal implants to eliminate corneal blindness, announced the closing of $1.8 million in a second tranche from KeraLink International (KLI).

Key Points: 
  • Pantheon Vision, a pre-clinical stage medical device company developing bioengineered corneal implants to eliminate corneal blindness, announced the closing of $1.8 million in a second tranche from KeraLink International (KLI).
  • This comes on the heels of a previous $2.5 million investment from last year, also from KLI, bringing the total funding to $4.3 million.
  • The funds will be used to advance Pantheon Vision’s development of bioengineered corneal implants to reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue.
  • “The additional funding from KLI positions Pantheon Vision to advance our bioengineered corneal implants to treat corneal blindness,” said John Sheets, President and CEO, Pantheon Vision.